Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insists he and Lewis Hamilton are “not finished” with Formula 1 as they want to “continue this journey”, despite ongoing speculation over their future.
Both Wolff and Hamilton have yet to re-sign for next year, with the pairs’ contract due to expire at the end of the season.
Wolff, who has been at the helm since 2014, is considering whether to take a backwards step from the day-to-day running of the team, while also searching for a potential successor.
Speaking after his victory at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Hamilton said the uncertainly surrounding Wolff’s future was “not really a concern” for him as there was “no guarantee” he would be racing in 2021.
But Wolff batted away any doubts he or Hamilton wouldn’t be at Mercedes next year, even if the thought of walking away could happen at any time.
“I think we go together in a way,” Wolff said, as quoted by Motorsport.com. “We have a symbiosis and obviously it’s important where our heart is and mindset is for next year.
“But I’ve said that this is my team. I’m in a very proud corner with Mercedes and I’m not going to go anywhere.
“My role may change in the future, and it’s something that he is asked and, and I think nothing is ever secure.
“It was like Niki Lauda in the 1970’s: you could wake up one morning on a Friday or Saturday morning on a track and say: ‘I’m just not having fun anymore.’ And I think that can happen to anybody.
“But we want to continue this journey. We are not finished. Lewis and I and all the team, we’re not finished.”
With Mercedes securing a record seventh consecutive constructors’ championship at Imola, attention now switches to wrapping up the drivers’ title.
Wolff said the team wanting to focus on sealing both championships is the reason why there has been a delay in contract negotiations.
“With Mercedes and I, we are pretty much clear: it’s just down to putting pen on the paper at the right moment,” Wolff said.
“I was also concentrated on bringing these championships home and it always feels not right to spend days with lawyers and M&A [mergers and acquisitions) people, when I’m so focused on just what’s happening on track.
“I think that this is where Lewis and I are very similar. It just didn’t feel the right opportune moment to sit down before those championships were not done.
“And there will be a moment when the drivers’ championship is going to be decided, to sit down. And we have a few months before the first race happens in Australia.”
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